Google and the smartphone war!
- Google is upset with Microsoft, Oracle, and Apple in respect to the Nortel and Novell patent purchases. Google is claiming that the companies listed above and some other companies are trying to make it more expensive for phone manufactures to license Android phones. Google claims that these companies are seeking a $15 dollar licensing fee for every Android device. With more than 550,000 Android devices activated every day; these companies receive millions of dollars in licensing fees on a daily basis. Google states that these companies do not want to compete, by building new features, but instead fight through patent litigation. [Link]
The USPTO wants your input!
- If the Leahy-Smith Act is enacted, the USPTO will need to undertake a series of rulemakings to implement the Act. Because several provisions of the Act require implementation within a period of one year from enactment, expeditious rulemaking proceedings will be required. Given this tight time frame, preliminary input from our stakeholders and the public on implementation of the key provisions would facilitate this process even before the legislation has been enacted. The USPTO has posted their views of the Act, and would like input on the following topic areas in the Act; Patents, BPAI, Fees and Budgetary Issues, Congressionally-Directed Studies and Reports, and Miscellaneous. [Link]
Is re-examination unfair?
- Former Senator Birch Bayh recently wrote an article (and a letter to Kappos) discussing his concerns with the re-examination process. Senator Bayh co-authored the U.S. Patent and Trademark Laws Act (Bayh-Dole Act) that was enacted by congress in 1990. Senator Bayh is concerned about large companies using the re-examination process as an unfounded tactic to attack smaller companies. Senator Bayh stated that "when Senator Bob Dole and I joined to pass ground-breaking legislation on patents, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Laws Act, we never intended for it to allow malicious attacks on patents or to create an incredibly uneven playing field for small inventors." Senator Bayh concern is particularly directed to the Lockwood case, in which Lockwood sued a law firm because he felt like they requested a sham re-examination. The court ruled that, the federal patent law preempted any action in state courts. [Link]
[Kappos Reply]
[Case summary]
Patent Jobs:
- Panduit is seeking a patent attorney with 2 years of experience and a background in electrical engineering. [Link]
- Gibson & Dernier is seeking a patent associate to work at their Woodbridge, New Jersey office. [Link]
- Choate, Hall & Stewart is looking for an attorney or patent agent with an engineering background and 2 years of experience. [Link]
- Sandia National Laboratories is searching for a patent & licensing attorney with 3-7 years of experience. [Link]
- Monsanto is seeking an assistant general counsel with 3 years of experience and a background in the life sciences. [Link]
- Verenium is searching for a patent agent with a background in life sciences and at least 5 years of experience. [Link]
- Amin Talati is seeking a patent attorney with 10+ years of experience and a background in the life sciences. [Link]
- The Marbury Law Group is searching for a patent attorney with an electrical background and 2-8 years of experience. [Link]
- Qualcomm is seeking a patent research librarian with a MLS and 3 years of experience. [Link]
Upcoming Events:
- The 2nd European Pharmaceutical Regulatory Law Forum will be held in Brussels, Belgium September 21-22nd. The forum will focus on recent developments affecting the pharma industry in Europe and will discuss the impact of US developments on European companies. (Patently-O readers can register with code PO 10 for a 10% discount) [Link]
- American Conference Institute's Life Sciences Business Development & Acquisitions in Emerging Markets conference is scheduled for September 26-27 in New York, NY. (Patently-O readers can register with code PO 200 for a discount) [Link]
- C5 will be holding the 21st annual Forum on Biotech Patenting in London on October 5th-6th. The 2011 London Biotech Patenting Forum will focus on the latest legal developments affecting biotech companies and how to implement successful methods and strategies for drafting and filing patent applications in multiple jurisdictions. (Patently-O readers can save 100 pounds by using discount code PO 100) [Link]
- IPMI is holding the IP Law & Management Institute on November 6th – 8th at the Rancho Las Palmas in Palm Springs, CA. Hailed as "One of the few programs geared to experienced in-house IP Counsel", the Institute is a CLE-accredited program designed to provide time-starved Heads of IP with the Opportunity to meet and network with their peers, learn from the best practices and validate solutions and services. [Link]
Contact Lawrence.Higgins@patentlyo.com with leads for future Bits and Bytes.